Mechanisms of weed seed persistence and development of novel weed management tools

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Weeds owe their success, at least in part, to seed dormancy and longevity as early-life history adaptation mechanisms. The overall aim of this project is to gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of weed seed adaptation to changing ambient temperatures. Weeds and heat stress are major threats to agriculture and food security; about 10% of crop production is currently lost to weeds. Without herbicides these losses would be about 50%. The objectives and deliverables of this project are achieved in a collaboration between the Seed Biology and Engineering Group of Prof G Leubner at Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL) and Syngenta's Weed Control Research led by Dr David Stock at Jealott's Hill International Research Centre (JHIRC, Bracknell, UK). We will conduct seed dormancy, germination, and longevity modelling of responses with the focus on noxious weeds. This will be at different temperatures and upon chemical manipulation to deliver the quantitative physiological framework for the subsequent comparative hormone and transcriptome profiling to elucidate the underpinning molecular mechanisms. From the comparative transcriptomics we will select differentially expressed genes and derive candidates for conserved and seed-specific target mechanisms. Using identified suitable targets genes we will develop antisense oligionucleotides and identify chemicals to specifically develop novel agri-technologies for weed seed and seedling control. This project and collaboration with Syngenta builds on our strengths to enhance the bioeconomy by providing innovative agri-technologies and by providing training and developing skills relevant to the agricultural industry.